FRUGALITY AND JOY

This is a big subject, and one I’ll be expanding on in the book series: joy coming through frugality holds much fascination for me.

watching the view from the arthouse every day

I guess it is the opposite of what we’re told we should want, i.e. more, more, more. The idea of promoting less is quietly radical.

caper flower

I spent a good part of my early adulthood resenting my poverty; the lack of opportunity it seemed to afford me, the sense of always having to hold back, and to hold myself in, as if I was permanently waiting… for what, though? To have more? To be able to consume at a higher rate? To be surrounded by more stuff?

pregnant cat in Bacoli

The (relative) wealth I’ve experienced since buying my beautiful magical house in Italy, has made me question this very concept of being abundant. Over the past 5 yrs I have gathered all manner of things, made all manner of plans, and started all manner of business ideas, but this year, having reached a point of significant inner peace, it seems like I want to shed things – to slough a skin almost.

vedi giù per l’italiano

cake, undressed

It feels important to periodically let go of the bulk of what we’ve accumulated, like a fruit tree dropping it’s ripe maturity to the floor- that it can spread out and grow anew. And like the Buddhist practise of hair shaving: cleaning and cutting back, clearing and polishing; the simplicity of our focus on our core.

watching the wind in the palms, Bacoli

This week, I’ve been looking afresh at my house and how it serves me and my vision: having my blessed volunteer help has got me to yet another level of tidiness and clarity. And this has helped me both let go of some unnecessary clutter, and to get my head around the final stages of making the house the very best it can be, so that I can live in the fullest creative flow!

Mariapia’s courgettes

Following having reached my big goal of getting my colouring book published, I’ve spent a couple of days resting, and just observing the beauty of simple things all around me, being glad to be alive, and doing what I’m doing!

basil in Bacoli

Whilst I delve into more painting and writing, and creating the next book in the LLAHA series, I’ll be sharing how the arthouse is coming together, via my Patreon profile. Go find me there!

MY INNER CIRCLE

ART BY CLAREARTISTA

I paint from a deep place, and am passionate about how we create harmony and grow energy, by becoming more sentient and present - by living thoroughly and profoundly...

ART AS SPIRITUAL POWER

Art is a primal tool that we can harness to know ourselves and to affect our relationship with the world. Practises like drawing and painting have been used since the beginning of time, to make sense of our human experience, and to come into synchrony with forces greater than ourselves. My art path has brought me from illness, poverty, grief and depression - to a vibrant, happy, fulfilled existence - see how...

FREE YOUR CREATIVE POTENTIAL!

Your art potential is right there in your core, waiting to be potentialised! Come and work beside me at the easel - face-to-face via a bespoke art holiday in magical Italy, or by distance learning via my online art school - read more here...